More News

More than 800 third-grade students from 12 North Bethesda-area schools took home free dictionaries this year thanks to efforts by the Rotary Club's Dictionary Project.

Jay Davies, a member of the North Bethesda Rotary Club, said the group has been participating in the nationwide movement for the past four years as part of their Education and Literacy projects.

He said giving the books ensures students have a resource for expanding their vocabulary and reading skills.

"It's great for the kids and for us," he said. "It really is nice to see how the kids react when you give it to them and say ‘this is yours now; take it home and put your name in it."

The Rotary is one of 60 Maryland clubs who distributed more than 70,000 dictionaries to young students this year, Davies said.

"My favorite part is showing them how to use it and finding the longest word in the book," he said.

The North Bethesda Rotary Club funds the effort through its regular fundraising campaign.

The Dictionary Project was founded in 1992 by Annie Plummer of Savannah, Ga., to promote literacy. Since then, more than 10 million dictionaries have been distributed worldwide through the program.

Tune in!

Within just a month's time, Bethesda and Chevy Chase will each have sent a resident to the Jeopardy! game show.

On June 17, Peggy Enright, a 37-year-old realtor from Chevy Chase, appeared on the regular Jeopardy! program, as one of 400 people selected to compete on the show from 25,000 potential contestants.

"It was a very fun, but incredibly nerve-wracking experience," said Enright of the experience on the show. "And I was finally able to visit Los Angeles for the very first time."

On July 8, 12-year-old Catherine Evans of Bethesda will be on Jeopardy! as one of show's 15 contestants during Kids Week. Kids Week is for 10- to 12-year-old participants from around the country. The winner of each game during Kids Week will receive at least $15,000 plus a family vacation.

RaPpfest in Chevy Chase

RaPpfest, an annual block part held in Chevy Chase View to remember the late-William Rapp, is scheduled for the last time for July 10.

The annual party is a fundraiser for the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, where Rapp spent his final days, fighting the disease that took his life in September 2007.

The celebration of his life has been held each year since at the family's home, on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Everett Street. This year, the family's home was put up for sale.

The block party has been planned to include food, drinks, live music, face painting, and a live auction to benefit the cancer center.

Last year's event garnered more than $14,000 for the center.

Future RaPpfests are expected to be held in Bethesda.

Listen up! Summer concerts begin at Stratmore

The Strathmore Music Center's summer concert series kicks off today with accordion-driven Pistolera — a socially conscious Spanish language band that combines southwest sound with pop enthusiasm.

The concert is free and attendants are advised to bring blankets or low beach chairs.

New to the series this year is a "mini street festival" that includes clowning expert Sabrina Mandell and mime Mark Jester along with other performance artists.

The series is being held Wednesdays throughout the summer on the lawn near the Strathmore Mansion, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.

Garrett Park

needs convertibles

The Garrett Park Citizen's Association is searching for residents with open-topped vehicles, specifically convertibles, willing to participate in its annual Independence Day Parade at 11 a.m. Monday.

This year's theme is Saluting our Heroes, and association member Christ Strong said he would like for the dignitaries featured in the parade to "ride in style if possible."

Anyone willing to donate a vehicle or their time should contact Strong at chris.s.strong@gmail.com or Mario Grande at mfgrande@aol.com.

Reading volunteers needed

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County is looking for volunteers to help adults learn to read, write or speak English.

Information sessions for volunteers will be held at the Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave., at 7:30 p.m. July 6 and at 10:30 a.m. July 28. Volunteers work one-on-one with students or in small groups, usually at libraries or community centers. No foreign language skills are necessary.

For information, call 301-610-0030, e-mail info@literacycouncil

mcmd.org or visit

www.literacycouncilmcmd.org.

Help a student in need

Montgomery County Public Schools is collecting used school supplies for its annual Drive For Supplies.

Items such as notebooks, backpacks, folders, paper, pens, pencils, markers, protractors and rulers are needed. Drop off donations in the cafeteria at Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, during business hours July 12-16.

Last year, more than 14,000 pounds of school supplies were donated and distributed to families and nonprofit organizations. Businesses and community members also are welcome to contribute. More information is at www.montgomery

schoolsmd.org/departments/student

affairs/sao/supplies/

Go see a show

The Potomac based G&S Youth Company is returning to the Capital Fringe Festival in July for a production of "H.M.S. Pinafore" featuring performers ages 12-24.

Check it out July 16-18 at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington D.C. Tickets cost $15 and can be bought online at CapitalFringe.org

Show the kids some fun

Sign up now for summer weekday fun at the Clara Barton Summer Fun Center, 7425 MacArthur Blvd, in Cabin John.

Families with children ages 5-12 can sign up now for supervised indoor and outdoor activities for children, including arts and crafts projects, pizza days, and water play on Fridays. The cost is $240 for June 28 through Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 301-229-0010.

Campus Congratulations

Michael Boyland and Veronika Stare of Potomac, Matthew Canter, of North Potomac and Nadia Khan, of Bethesda were placed on the dean's list for Gettysburg College.

Arielle Schilit of North Potomac graduated from Tufts University magna cum laude on May 23 with a Bachelor of Science in biology, psychology and biomedical engineering systems.

Joy Suslov of Potomac, a music education major at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, has been named to the dean's list for the spring 2010 semester.

Nadia Khan of Bethesda made the dean's list for Gettysburg College.

Alexander Henry of Chevy Chase and Neal Brown of Potomac graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, on May 16.

Share your good news! Send items to Cody Calamaio at ccalamaio@gazette.net, via fax at 301-670-7183 or snail mail to 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Don't forget to send in photos!